Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1887-06-30
4 MEMEsTo OF THE PAST.

Inirty years ago our toWnsman,
Mr. john j. Gill, in connection with
Messrs. Henry F. Watson and Elihu
B. Thomas, in behalf of the Execu-
live Committee OF the st. Louis Sum
day Reform Convention, made the fol-
lowing appeal to the voters Of that
city about to pass upon the Sunday
sale Of intoxicating drinks:
SUNDAY REFORM.
The object Of this movement is to
restore Sunday to its primitive con-
dition. In this country, the Sab
bath has, until recently, been regard
ed as day of quiet rest. No sys-
tenn Of laws has ever emanated from
our statesmen that has not acknowl-
edged it. One after another has de-
clared it to be period of relaxation
Ia time to restore exhausted nature
and acquire new vigor. 1t has been
the day Of all others the most ac-
ceptabie to the operative, and most
favorable to his physical well-being.
Employers, mechanics, manufactur-
ers and merchants have been COM
PEELED to observe it.
The attempt however has been
made to abolish this time-honored
custom. A few not content with the
profit of dispensing intoxicating
drinks during six days Of the week,
have appropriated the seventh also
to enrich themselves in. And who
are these that ask US so pertinacious.
~ to give up the institutions of our
fathers for their aggrandisement
Are they the benefactors OF their
race? Do they encourage and re-
ward labor, promote domestic hap.
piness, engender philanthrophy, OF
give birth to exalted conceptions oi
patriotism? By no means Never
theless they have solicited and OBJ.
tanned indulgence.
The law regulating the morals oi
the State has been forced aside, that
special legislation might prepare fol
Sabbath desecration, by declaring
the contingency thas could make il
possible. A large and respectable
body Of our citizens have petItioned
for an opportunity to give expression
to their opinion,of the innovation thai
has been attempted, and the Mayo
and Common Council have not onl,
granted their request, but appointed
Monday next as the time at whicl
that expression can be made, and un
less the undersigned are most eyre
giously mistaken a voice will then b
heard portential as the fat of author
ity, restoring the Sabbath to it
primitive uses.
FELLOW CITIZENS
In behalf of those who have inaug
urated this reform we ask not th
passage Of unaccustomed laws. w
seek to abridge mans liberty. w
ackno Wedge it to be constitutions
right of all to spend their Sabbath
as shall best promote their happines
and welfare. whether that be With
doors or abroad in the open air; 9
home or in their respective sanctus
ries; in solitude or in social intel
course. What we demand is that
Sabbath or worship, as each ma
elect for himself, be secured to al
not to be infringed upon by the nois
of dissipation or disturbed by tt
boisterous vehemence of the inebr
ated. All are entitled to this. II
exercise of religious worship demand
no more. Confined to church edit
ces, no matter how loud the song {
praise may rise, nor how great Il
enthusiasm of the preacher or prize,
may be, the public is not disturbed
But the case is far different in ii
desecration we complain Of. Liaut
fills the streets with brawling inebr
ates. Brass bands destroy the pea,
and quiet of whole neighborhood
and dance houses and theatres, ope
to common gaze, tempt youth to viz
and corrupt the public morals.
| We appeal to no class Of citizel
in particular, all are interested
this reform. Without it, the great M
jority must prepare to surrender Il
city to general dissipation, licentio,
debauchery and boisterous anus
ments, and those that desire rest ar
tranquility, or wish to worship &c
according to the dictates of CO..
science must seek beyond the limi
of the corporation the opportunity I
enjoying that which the constitute
and the laws guarantee to every r
iatlon, condition and situation
life. Shall this ever happen? Shs
such degradation ever be submits
to? We trust not. Let the frient
of the Sabbath rally then and star
together on Monday. Regardless
party issues and divisions, paying I
attention to denominational or n
tional distinctions, let them vo
against the sale of intoxicating iiquo
} on Sunday. Let there be no mistal
this time.
Our banner is Opposed to u
sale of intoxicating drinks ON Su
day." Citizens. which ever way "
vote, cast this ballot. Aim to reco
er your lost Sunday. Unite! and d
; victory is won.
/ JOHN j. GILL,
i HENRY f. WATSON,
ELIHu b. THOMAS,
In behalf of the Executive Coz
mite Of the Sunday Reform Conve
: ton.
II 1t is almost needless to say that
} the election which followed the iss
, ing of the above, the cause of SUI
day Reform was lost, but after thir
years Of trial, it is gratifying that
change Of opinion is NANTES ted
|, the existing generation and that I
tomorrow the sentiments OF Il